The appeal of online learning may be captured most concisely in the motto
of the Orlando-based Florida Virtual School (FLVS), one of the country's earliest
providers of online courses: "Any time, any place, any path, any pace." At its
founding a decade ago, FLVS was one of only a handful of statewide or national
providers of Web-based courses in the country. As of mid-2007, there were 25 statewide
providers (i.e., those based in and primarily serving a single state), 24 and the
number of university-based, district-based, and private for-profit providers is
growing as well. All offer some type of advanced course work.

Thus, districts and schools that recognize the
potential of online classes to enhance and
equalize students' education opportunities, including
broadening access to advanced content,
will find it easier than ever to connect with
a provider that offers the courses their students
need. Before doing so, however, it is helpful to
have a basic understanding of what to look for
in an online provider and of the kind of districtor
school-provider partnership that most readily
lends itself to student success with this alternative—
but increasingly common—approach to
delivering advanced courses.